2005 Monte Carlo, 3.8, 71,000 miles.
I've got a small oil leak, near the front of the pan. Obviously, this thing ain't my '68 El Camino I had back in HS & replaced an oil pan gasket with ease, but I about **** my pants when I heard how involved & expensive it is to have it replaced! I've also heard from at least one mechanic this is a known problem with this engine? Anyone else hear this or have this problem? Any advice appreciated.
Thanks!

 

My nephew did my oil pan gasket on my '01 SS. Did it pretty cheaply as I recall but he was also replacing the flex plate at the time so he said might as well do the oil pan gasket too since it was leaking.

If I remember right the cradle has to be dropped? Perhaps someone else who has actually done one themselves will chime in but I think most of the cost is probably labor as I recall the cradle has to be dropped to get to it?

Oh and YES I have heard its a common problem with these cars/engines.

 

Yep, the cradle has to be dropped to get it done on these cars

 

Yea, you need to support the engine and trans with a engine support bar that goes across the engine bay. Then take off components that are needed to drop engine cradle and drop cradle to get to the oil pan.